Te Ao Mārama South Atrium is respectful of the building’s heritage, while integrating bicultural concepts that deepen engagement with the Museum’s collections and stories. Its unique suspended Tanoa architecture celebrates our place in the culture and cultures of 21st-century Tāmaki and Aotearoa.
Project Architect, Marianne Riley who worked on the space as part of the architectural joint venture of Jasmax with FJMT and designTRIBE, says it was an honour to support the Museum's vision to fulfil the building’s potential as a welcoming, relevant, and accessible space for all manuhiri / visitors.
"Te Ao Mārama is the result of weaving together knowledge of cultural stakeholders, museum expertise and collaborative design thinking, providing space for bicultural innovations and for mana whenua to belong. The resulting spaces create an elevated cultural experience for all manuhiri to arrive and connect to the Museum, its place and people.”
The Museum’s new bistro and cafe, Tuitui, situated within Te Ao Mārama, designed by Jack McKinney Architects won the Hospitality category. It was acclaimed by the judging panel for “details that are both sweet and robust, and a back-of-house space creatively shoe-horned around a heritage structure, the front-of-house area has been maximised in a manner that is contemporary, chic and intriguing.”
Click here to learn more about Te Ao Mārama and plan your visit here.